Basketball Australia U18 Nationals, Kevin Coombs Cup live stream: Queensland North double act (U18 & Kevin Coombs Nationals)

Two months on the road has worked wonders with bonding for Queensland North players - and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Watch the U18 nationals, Kevin Coombs Cup LIVE.

It won’t be through lack of preparation if Queensland North fall short in their U18 national basketball goals.

Mackay Meteorettes guard Monique Bobongie said she has been on the road since January getting ready for the eight-day tournament, which starts with a big Origin-style NSW Metro v Queensland Metro boys encounter on April 8.

“We have travelled to Townsville every weekend for trainings and the weekends normally also consist of on-court training sessions and scrimmages,” Bobongie said.

“We also discuss off the court team strategies and things we need to work on. We had one training camp in Brisbane where we play against Queensland South.”

Queensland North last won the boy’s title way back in 2004. Their lone girls title success came a little more recently when the Froling sisters - Keely and Alicia - starred in a big win in 2013.

Thirty teams from across Australia will battle it out for national and Kevin Coombs Cup glory, with all 119 matches live streamed on KommunityTV. The boys play their first game on Sunday, April 9 against Victoria Metro aat 1pm while the girls face Tasmania first up, also at 1pm.

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Cairns Marlins point guard Tyson Crees, who had three double-digit games at last year’s U18 nationals, admitted his preparations for the big tournament hadn’t been without its sacrifices either.

“We have had four training camps as a 10 man team and multiple other trainings as a whole squad,” he said.

“Those camps have been very tough as it is usually five 90-minute sessions over two days.”

“We have played four practice matches as well, which have helped us figure out how to play with one another as a team in an actual game.”

“These camps were in Townsville, Brisbane, and Cairns. We have players from across North Queensland so we all meet in the one spot and train.

“For some of us it means travelling hundreds of kilometres for a weekend.”

Monique Bobongie has been on the road a lot since January.

“The focus from this point onwards is to be healthy and mentally ready to step foot on the court.

“Nothing is on our minds other than walking away at the end with a gold medal around our necks.

“It is us against everyone.”

Crees says a ‘never say die attitude’ will be key to their tournament hopes.

“Queensland North is very fast and tough,” he said.

“We aren’t a tall team, so we must play quick and grind out games to win.

Tyson Crees is backing up for Queensland North.

“We have some great shooters and athleticism throughout the squad and athletes from the North have a strong team culture.”

With the preparation of set plays and team bonding comes personal development for both Cress and Bobongie.

“I have been preparing for nationals by getting on court almost every day and being in the gym at least five times a week,” Crees said.

“I’ve also been training with the NBL1 Cairns Marlins, which has really helped prepare me to play against tougher, more experienced players.”

Bobognie, who averaged over 17 points per game at last year’s U18 nationals in Ballarat, has been ‘trying to get as many shots up as possible, keeping fit so I can perform.’

The victory-starved women’s side are ‘holding each other accountable to stay in shape’, according to Bobongie.

Bobognie says Queensland North must ‘put up shots to stay in top four race’.

“We also need to put up shots if we want to place in the top four to compete for a medal,” she said.

When it comes to Queensland North, both teams’ greatest strength is the tight culture players have created.

“We have a good team connection on and off the court,” Bobongie said.

“Everyone brings something to the team and contributes on both the offence and defence side.”